Foot bath bucket

ABSTRACT

A foot bath bucket, includes a bucket member with sidewall and a bottom portion with semi-spherical protrusions defining a bucket interior; such that a front portion of the bucket member is double-arch-shaped with a rearward pointing front intersection and a front intersection line is frontward inclined; such that a rear portion of the bucket member is double-arch-shaped with a frontward pointing rear intersection and a rear intersection line is rearward inclined.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of foot bath buckets, and more particularly to methods and systems for ergonomic design of a foot bath bucket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of a foot bath is popular both for recreational purposes and for use by professional therapists. During a therapy session a therapist may begin by placing a patient's feet in a foot tub of warm or hot water, which in some applications can be mixed with a Chinese herbal tea, while the patient is placed in a reclined position.

However, existing foot bath baths are not designed ergonomically for comfortable use, but are largely confined to round, square, or rectangular designs.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for ergonomic design of foot bath buckets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of foot bath buckets.

In an aspect, a foot bath bucket can include:

-   -   a) a bucket member, with a sidewall and a bottom portion         defining a bucket interior;     -   wherein a front portion of the bucket member is         double-arch-shaped with a sharp inward/rearward pointing front         indentation/intersection between a left front convex curving         portion of a left side of the front portion and a right front         convex curving portion of a right side of the front portion,         such that the left front convex curving portion and the right         front convex curving portion meet at a front intersection angle         that is less than 180 degrees;     -   wherein a front intersection line between the left front convex         curving portion and the right front convex curving portion from         a bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall can be         frontward inclined with a front inclination angle that is         greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees;     -   wherein a rear portion of the bucket member is         double-arch-shaped, comprising a sharp inward/frontward pointing         rear indentation/intersection between a left rear convex curving         portion of a left side of the rear portion and a right rear         convex curving portion of a right side of the rear portion, such         that the left rear convex curving portion and the right rear         convex curving portion meet at a front intersection angle that         is less than 180 degrees; and     -   wherein a rear intersection line between the left rear convex         curving portion and the right rear convex curving portion from a         bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall can be rearward         inclined with a rear inclination angle that is greater than zero         degrees and less than 90 degrees;     -   whereby a user can soak feet of the user in a liquid in the         bucket interior, such that the feet are comfortably separated by         the rear and front intersection lines.

In a related aspect, a front separation distance between first and second maximum front points of the front rim can be larger than a rear separation distance between first and second maximum rear points of the rear rim.

In another related aspect, an upper surface of the bottom portion can be configured with a plurality of protrusions, which can function to stimulate/massage feet of a user. The protrusions can be semi-spherical and be configured in a plurality of different sizes.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foot bath bucket with a separated handle, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a foot bath bucket with a separated handle, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a foot bath bucket with a connected handle, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a is a perspective view of a water therapy system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a is a perspective view of a water therapy system in use by a patient, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a foot bath bucket 100 with reference to FIG. 1, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification. The foot bath bucket 100 can also be referred to as THE LUV BUCKET (R).

In an embodiment, a foot bath bucket 100 can include:

-   -   a) a bucket member 110, which can include:         -   i. a sidewall 130; and         -   ii. a bottom portion 140, such that the sidewall 130             encircles a periphery of the bottom portion 140, such that             the sidewall 130 protrudes upward, such that the sidewall             130 and the bottom portion 140 define a bucket interior 145,             which can be filled with warm or hot water and various             additives;         -   wherein a front portion 111 of the bucket member 110 is             heart-shaped (which can also be referred as a             double-arch-shaped), comprising a sharp inward/rearward             pointing front indentation/intersection 113 between a left             front convex curving portion 112 of a left side of the front             portion 111 and a right front convex curving portion 114 of             a right side of the front portion 111, such that the left             front convex curving portion 112 and the right front convex             curving portion 114 meet at a front intersection angle 116             that is less than 180 degrees, such as for example in a             range of 170-10 degrees, 20-160 degrees, 30-150 degrees,             20-140 degrees, or 40-140 degrees;         -   wherein a front intersection line 113 between the left front             convex curving portion 112 and the right front convex             curving portion 114 from a bottom of the sidewall 130 to a             top of the sidewall 130 can be frontward inclined with a             front inclination angle 118 that is greater than zero             degrees and less than 90 degrees, for example in a range of             5-40 degrees;         -   wherein a rear portion 121 of the bucket member 110 is             double-arch-shaped, comprising a sharp inward/frontward             pointing rear indentation/intersection 123 between a left             rear convex curving portion 122 of a left side of the rear             portion 121 and a right rear convex curving portion 124 of a             right side of the rear portion 121, such that the left rear             convex curving portion 122 and the right rear convex curving             portion 124 meet at a rear intersection angle 126 that is             less than 180 degrees, such as for example in a range of             170-10 degrees, 20-160 degrees, 30-150 degrees, 20-140             degrees, or 40-140 degrees; and         -   wherein a rear intersection line 123 between the left rear             convex curving portion 122 and the right rear convex curving             portion 124 from a bottom of the sidewall 130 to a top of             the sidewall 130 can be rearward inclined with a rear             inclination angle 128 that is greater than zero degrees and             less than 90 degrees, for example in a range of 5-40             degrees;         -   whereby a user 502 can soak feet 302 of the user in a liquid             in the bucket interior 145, such that the feet 302 are             comfortably separated by the rear and front intersection             lines, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thus, an overall shape of             the foot bath bucket 100, as shown in FIG. 2, in a top view,             can be described as heart-shaped with a rear indentation             123, or in general as apple-shaped.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a front separation distance 216 between first and second maximum front points 212 214 of the front portion 111 can be larger than a rear separation distance 226 between first and second maximum rear points 212 214 of the rear portion 121, which can alternatively be described such that a front part of the front portion 111 is wider than a rear part of the rear portion 121.

In a related embodiment, an upper surface of the bottom portion 140 can be configured with a plurality of protrusions 142, which can function to stimulate/massage feet of a user.

In a further related embodiment, the protrusions 142 can be semi-spherical.

In a further related embodiment, the protrusions 142 can be configured in a plurality of different sizes, which for example can be three different sizes, or random sizes varying from a maximum to a minimum size.

In another related embodiment, the foot bath bucket 100 can further include a handle 150, which can be hingedly connected in first and seconds ends to an upper rim 138 of the bucket member 110.

In a further related embodiment, the handle 150 can be double-arch-shaped, such that it is configured to align with a front part of the upper rim, when the handle is in a stowed configuration.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a foot bath therapy system 400, can include:

-   -   a) A therapy furniture piece 410, which can be therapy chair         410, or a therapy table or bench, or other type of furniture for         sitting, leaning, or lying, which can include:         -   i. a tiltable backrest portion 412; and     -   b) A foot tub 420, including         -   i. A foot bath bucket 100; and         -   ii. An inclined ramp 422, wherein the foot bath bucket 100             is positioned on an inclined upper surface 423 of the             inclined ramp 422;     -   wherein a patient can be seated or lying in the therapy chair         410, with lower legs and feet extended into the foot bath bucket         100.

In a related embodiment, the inclined ramp 422 can be a 12×12 inches square and the foot bath bucket 100 can have a maximum diameter of 15 inches, such that there is some hangover of the foot bath bucket 100 with respect to the inclined ramp 422.

In a related embodiment, FIG. 5 shows the therapy system 400 with a patient 502 lying in the therapy chair 410, such that the tiltable backrest portion 412 is tilted approximately 20 degrees. As shown, the patient 502 may lie in a relaxed position with legs apart and resting on an inside part of the foot bath bucket 100, such that side calves are touching inner sides of the foot bath bucket 100.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the foot bath bucket 100, and systems and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foot bath bucket, comprising: a bucket member, comprising a sidewall; and a bottom portion, such that the sidewall encircles a periphery of the bottom portion, such that the sidewall protrudes upward; such that the sidewall and the bottom portion define a bucket interior; wherein a front portion of the bucket member is comprising a rearward pointing front intersection between a left front convex curving portion of a left side of the front portion and a right front convex curving portion of a right side of the front portion, such that the left front convex curving portion and the right front convex curving portion meet at a front intersection angle that is less than 180 degrees; whereby a user is enabled to soak feet of the user in a liquid in the bucket interior, such that the feet are comfortably separated by the front intersection.
 2. The foot bath bucket of claim 1, wherein the front intersection angle is in a range of 20-140 degrees.
 3. The foot bath bucket of claim 1, wherein a front intersection line between the left front convex curving portion and the right front convex curving portion from a bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall is frontward inclined with a front inclination angle that is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.
 4. The foot bath bucket of claim 3, wherein the front inclination angle is in a range of 5-40 degrees.
 5. The foot bath bucket of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the bucket member comprises a frontward pointing rear intersection between a left rear convex curving portion of a left side of the rear portion and a right rear convex curving portion of a right side of the rear portion, such that the left rear convex curving portion and the right rear convex curving portion meet at a rear intersection angle that is less than 180 degrees; whereby the feet of the user are comfortably separated by the rear intersection.
 6. The foot bath bucket of claim 5, wherein the rear intersection angle is in a range of 20-140 degrees.
 7. The foot bath bucket of claim 6, wherein a front separation distance between first and second maximum front points of the front portion can be larger than a rear separation distance between first and second maximum rear points of the rear portion.
 8. The foot bath bucket of claim 6, wherein a rear intersection line between the left rear convex curving portion and the right rear convex curving portion from a bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall is rearward inclined with a rear inclination angle that is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.
 9. The foot bath bucket of claim 8, wherein the rear inclination angle is in a range of 5-40 degrees.
 10. The foot bath bucket of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the bottom portion is configured with a plurality of protrusions.
 11. The foot bath bucket of claim 10, wherein the protrusions are semi-spherical and configured in a plurality of different sizes.
 12. The foot bath bucket of claim 1, further comprising a handle, which is hingedly connected in first and seconds ends to an upper rim of the bucket member, such that the handle is double-arch-shaped, such that the handle is configured to align with a front part of the upper rim, when the handle is in a stowed configuration.
 13. A foot bath bucket, comprising: a bucket member, comprising a sidewall; and a bottom portion, such that the sidewall encircles a periphery of the bottom portion, such that the sidewall protrudes upward; such that the sidewall and the bottom portion define a bucket interior; wherein a rear portion of the bucket member comprises a frontward pointing rear intersection between a left rear convex curving portion of a left side of the rear portion and a right rear convex curving portion of a right side of the rear portion, such that the left rear convex curving portion and the right rear convex curving portion meet at a rear intersection angle that is less than 180 degrees; whereby a user is enabled to soak feet of the user in a liquid in the bucket interior, such that the feet are comfortably separated by the rear intersection.
 14. The foot bath bucket of claim 13, wherein the rear intersection angle is in a range of 20-140 degrees.
 15. The foot bath bucket of claim 13, wherein a rear intersection line between the left rear convex curving portion and the right rear convex curving portion from a bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall is rearward inclined with a rear inclination angle that is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.
 16. The foot bath bucket of claim 15, wherein the rear inclination angle is in a range of 5-40 degrees.
 17. The foot bath bucket of claim 13, wherein a front portion of the bucket member is comprising a rearward pointing front intersection between a left front convex curving portion of a left side of the front portion and a right front convex curving portion of a right side of the front portion, such that the left front convex curving portion and the right front convex curving portion meet at a front intersection angle that is less than 180 degrees.
 18. The foot bath bucket of claim 17, wherein the front intersection angle is in a range of 20-140 degrees.
 19. The foot bath bucket of claim 17, wherein a front separation distance between first and second maximum front points of the front portion is larger than a rear separation distance between first and second maximum rear points of the rear portion.
 20. The foot bath bucket of claim 17, wherein a front intersection line between the left front convex curving portion and the right front convex curving portion from a bottom of the sidewall to a top of the sidewall is frontward inclined with a front inclination angle in a range of 5-40 degrees. 